The City of Love – 14 Remarkable Top Places to Visit in Dehradun

Nested in the Doon Valley, Dehradun is the best hill station in Uttarakhand. The Garhwal Himalayas attract thousands of tourists every year. The best thing is you can choose the top places to visit in Dehradun as per your requirement.

Yes, the city of love has so many options. If you want some adventure, choose Robber’s Cave while Lachhiwala is the best place to chill out. Overall, everything will make you fall in love with this postcard-perfect city. 

In this city guide, we will share all the details you need to know about Dehradun. Keep reading to explore the best places to visit in Dehradun before making your itinerary. 

About Dehradun

Located at an altitude of 1400 feet, Dehradun is one of Uttarakhand’s favorite tourist destinations. Being the capital city of Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand has an ideal combination of natural bliss and history. 

There was a time when Dehradun used to be a retirement haven. However, things have changed now. Dehradun became one of the most important cities in North India. On the other hand, this beautiful city is also popular as an education hub. 

According to legends, Dehradun was the abode of Dronacharya, the teacher of Pandavas and Kauravas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Well, this city is also well-known for the Indian Military Academy. 

It’s hard to find a place that balances history, mythology, diverse culture, and natural beauty together. Plus, the pleasant climate attracts more and more people every year. 

You will fall in love while exploring the capital city of Uttarakhand. Maybe that’s why it’s famous as ‘The City of Love’. Let’s find out how Dehraadun can make you fall in love. 

Top Places to Visit in Dehradun

From spirituality to adventure, Dehradun can surprise you with its charm. For a first-timer, things can be a bit challenging. No matter if you are going solo or with a group, you have to collect all details of each place. 

We researched some things and found there are so many places to visit in the capital city of Uttarakhand. In the following, we will share the best places to visit in Dehradun. Let’s find out:

1. Robber’s Cave

Up for some thrilling experience? Dehradun has Robber’s Cave for you. Explore the narrow natural cave with freezing cold springs. Surrounded by mighty hills, Robber’s Cave is one of the best places to visit near Dehradun. Many tourists visit this place for picnics, trekking, and excursions.

The adventurous walk-through cave expedition is the top activity here. Make sure you carry an extra set of clothes. There’s no entry fee needed. You can visit Gucchhu Pani from 7 am to 6 pm. 

2. Forest Research Institute

If you have seen some Dehradun travel videos on the internet, you might know about Forest Research Institute. Besides being a heritage architectural marvel of the city, the building is also popular with museums. Hence, FRI is the home of six museums and it can attract both adults and kids.

Stroll around the Botanical garden and explore the magnificent beauty of the Greco-Roman-inspired building. Guided tours are also available here. Forest Research Institute is open daily from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. 

The entry fee is INR 20 per person. If you want to visit any museum, you have to pay INR 30 separately. The parking charge is INR 30.

3. Sahastradhara

Popularly known as the ‘Thousand Fold Spring’, Sahastradhara is one of the best places to visit in Dehradun. Stop by here to take in the blissful scenic beauty of this place. If you want to get the flavor of mountains, caves, greenery, and spring at the same time, this is the right spot.

The best thing is you can take a bath here while enjoying the spectacular view of the surroundings. Monsoon is the best season to visit Sahastradhara. You can also enjoy a ropeway ride to discover Dehradun’s best-kept tourist spot.

4. Tapkeshwar Temple

Located on the bank of the Nandi River, Tapkeshwar Temple is considered to be the oldest Shiva Temple in Dehradun. In simple words, your trip won’t be complete without exploring the heavenly scene of how water is continuously dropping on the holy Shiva Lingam.

You can also discover some other water springs here. Take some time and breath in the magical beauty of the majestic temple surrounding. The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 

5. Mindrolling Monastery

Besides Hindu pilgrimages, you can find some stunning spots for other religions. In this case, Mindrolling Monastery is one of the top places to visit in Dehradun. Established in 1965, Mindrolling Monastery houses one of the largest Buddhist learning centers, Ngagyur Nyingma College. 

The key attractions of this monastery are the 35 meters Lord Buddha statue and a 60 meters high stupa. The monastery is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. However, you can only visit the inner premises on Sundays. There is no entry fee required.

6. Tapovan

Looking for a less explored destination near Dehradun? Tapovan could be your ideal choice. Blend with holiness and nature, Tapovan is famous as Guru Dronacharya’s abode. A less-visited tourist site but you can have an unforgettable experience here.

If you are up for some adventure, you can go for Nandanvan trekking from Tapovan. This place is open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is no entry fee needed. 

7. Tiger Falls

Surrounded by panoramic dense forests, Tiger Falls is one of the top places to visit in Dehradun. The mighty waterfall has a height of 50 meters and is located at a height of 1400 meters above sea level. 

You can take a bath at the natural swimming pool where the water falls into. This place is ideal for families. However, it takes around one hour of driving to reach Tiger Falls from the city center. Plus, the entry fee is INR 50 per person. 

8. Lachhiwala

Take in the astonishing beauty of Dehradun by heading to Lachhiwala, a natural park popular as a picnic spot. Go for bird watching or witness the incredible sunset views from this place. You can also do some water activities like boating and water sports. 

Lachhiwala is located around 18 km away from Dehradun and you can reach there by car. You don’t need an entry fee for this famous picnic spot. 

9. Malsi Deer Park

The city of Love has everything for all types of travelers. If you are into wildlife, don’t forget to make a visit to Malsi Deer Park, popularly known as Dehradun Zoo. Spread across 25 hectares of areas, Malsi Deer Park is one of the best places to visit near Dehradun. 

This deer park is popular for two-horned deer. Moreover, you can watch nilgai, peacock, leopard, and various birds. The park is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed on Mondays). The entry ticket is INR 10 per person. 

10. Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara

Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara is ideal for all spiritual seekers. Located at the heart of the city, this holy place is one of the oldest attractions of this hill station. According to local people, this gurudwara was established in the 17th century. You can make a visit in the evening. 

11. Dehradun Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is the landmark of this city. Located near Paltan Market, Clock Tower is one of the most beautiful sites in Dehradun. Sure, this tower isn’t that huge like other cities, but you can get an amazing view of the city in the evening with this landmark.

12. Chetwode Hall

When we are talking about the best places to visit in Dehradun, we can’t miss out on Chetwode Hall, the mecca of patriotism. Well, every Indian should visit this amazing place once. Discover the fascinating architecture while strolling around the campus. Chetwode Hall is open daily 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

13. Zonal Anthropological Museum

Looking for one of the top places to visit in Dehradun? Make sure you include the Zonal Anthropological Museum in your itinerary. It can be heaven for history and enthusiasts. The Anthropological Society of India established this museum in 1971. 

You can see several Himalayan region collections here. This museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The entry fee for this place is INR 15 per person. 

14. Paltan Bazaar

Your Dehradun journey will be incomplete without Paltan Bazaar. The market is located right beside the Clock Tower. The best thing is there are a lot of collections including fancy clothes, shoes, bags, and handicrafts. The market is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. 

Best Tips to Visit Dehradun

Every tourist destination has pros and cons. Dehradun isn’t an exception. That’s why you have to follow some crucial tops before visiting the city of love. Before you look for the top places to visit in Dehradun, make sure you check these points. Let’s find out:

• Add an extra day for a picnic if you are traveling with your family or friends. Dehradun has so many outstanding picnic spots. 
• Avoid monsoons as Uttrakhand faces a lot of issues during this season. 
• Hire a local guide when you are visiting a historic place.
• There are so many options available for adventure sports. Make sure you contact a good tour operator to have the best experience.
• Always carry your ID cards and other essential documents. 

How to Reach Dehradun

Being the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is easily accessible from big cities in North India. You can choose rail, road, and air to reach this gorgeous city. 

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is located only 20 km away from the city center. Regular flights are available from other cities in India. You can book a cab to reach the city from the airport.

By Train: As noted before, Dehradun is well-connected by railway. You can get a train from Delhi, Haridwar, Agra, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. Dehradun railway station is only 1-2 km away from the city. Take a cab or local vehicle to reach your hotel.

By Road: If you want to reach the city by bus, the bus service is available from Delhi, Haridwar, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Shimla. You can also take a Uttarakhand State Transport bus. 

If you want to travel by car, this city has a strong network. For example, it will take around 4 hours to reach Dehradun from Delhi. 

Best Time to Visit Dehradun

Dehradun is famous for its pleasant weather. Each season gives a different experience here. Now, you know about the top places to visit in Dehradun. However, the ideal time to visit this picturesque hill station is from March to June. Alternatively, October to December is also a good time. However, you should avoid monsoon time. 

Conclusion

Dehradun is one of the top tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. As it’s the capital city of the state, there are so many things to explore. From museums to temples, you can plan your itinerary at your own pace. If you have no idea about Dehradun, you can either hire a local tour guide or contact a travel company.